Pubdate: Wed, 28 Nov 2001
Source: Edmonton Sun (CN AB)
Copyright: 2001, Canoe Limited Partnership.
Contact:  http://www.fyiedmonton.com/htdocs/edmsun.shtml
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/135
Author: Shannon Boklaschuk

POT PARTY HEAD SAYS B.C. RIVAL IS BLOWING SMOKE

The head of the Marijuana Party of B.C. wants to set up a political party 
in this province as an alternative to the existing Marijuana Party of Alberta.

"This party will be more libertarian, more free-market oriented, more 
geared by people who are influential in Alberta politics already," 
president Marc Emery said yesterday.

"It will have a much more broader hook than just legalizing marijuana."

Emery said the party, which he won't name yet, would also focus on 
"taxation and fiscal issues" and would pressure the provincial and federal 
governments "to keep (the) gun registry out of Alberta."

Emery said the Marijuana Party of Alberta, headed by marijuana legalization 
activist Ken Kirk, is "very ineffective." He added he's cutting off funding 
to the party, to which he donated about $5,000 over the last year.

"It's never been a happy meeting of the minds," Emery said. "Ken Kirk calls 
himself the leader of the druids. I have no difficulty with people's 
religious association, but that's a bit too bizarre for mainstream people 
who want to get involved with political parties.

"People need to see some degree of stability and solidness in a person 
who's in a leadership position."

But Kirk said yesterday the B.C. marijuana party should butt out of his 
party's affairs.

Kirk said he's concerned Emery is trying to force him out of his leadership 
role.

"He's basically saying he's going to throw his financial support behind 
someone else," Kirk said.

He said that while he is "the pope of the Church of Reformed Druids," his 
religion has little to do with his politics.

"(Emery) tends to want to paint me a nut because of it," Kirk said. "It 
basically boils down to this - he's going to throw his money into an 
organization he can dictate from B.C."
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MAP posted-by: Rebel